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Can cables of any cost and quality provide bass response missing in my B&W speakers?

I'm sure variants of this question have been offered previously, but let me ask in light of the following:  I have a very modest main system powered by an Adcom 555II amp, Adcom GFP-750 pre-amp, and run into a pair of B&W CM-4 speakers (6.5in woofer, 6.5in. woofer/mid. and tweeter, and bi-wireable).  Any music with a moderate-to- heavy bass component (organ, bass fiddle, etc) just doesn't translate to my ear.  I'm using a mid-range pair of Monster cables, and in fact tried a second pair of Z-Series to no audible difference.  On the other hand I have a legacy pair of a/d/s 1090L tower speakers (2x7.5in woofers, 6in. mid-range, tweeter) that deliver thundering bass when needed regardless of cabling used, and powered by the same system.  Even tried passive bi-amping for the B&Ws by using an old Carver M-500t amp for HF input, and Adcom amp for LF input...no diff.  Is there any point really in looking at higher-end speaker wire of, e.g., thicker gauge, or exotic geometry, or multi-conductor "shotgunning", whatever, in order to induce greater LF response from the CM-4s?  Thanks for your patience.
compass_rose

Showing 5 responses by mtrot

mtrot
804 posts
 
Of course, this is completely anecdotal, but the deepest and most prodigious bass I have been able to get out of my speakers has been with Cerious Technology Graphene Extreme speaker cables.  I was not expecting or prepared for how much difference they could make. 

Prior to that, I was using an old set of thick, heavy stranded copper cable by Esoteric, which I would have thought would give great bass.  The thing I like about the GE cables is that I don't even have to turn the volume very high to have the deep bass.  And everything else is great with these cables as well, including mids, highs, imaging, and sound stage. 

They used to offer a 30-day money back guarantee, not sure if that is still the case.
mtrot
804 posts
 
Yeah, it looks like it will cost a couple hundred more $ to buy a 8 foot set direct from Cerious.  But at least you can get your money back if they're not worth it to you, and you will never know unless you try them.
mtrot
804 posts
 
@ compass_rose

In light of comments here, I guess I should clarify that my recommendation of the GE cables was not mean to claim or imply that they would somehow magically transform your speakers into bass dynamos.  It's just that you specifically asked about cables that might help your bass situation, and I believe these might.

And I wouldn't recommend them at all if bass was the only thing they did well.  In addition to the deep bass, I noticed great sound stage and imaging, vocals are very nice, and the highs are clear and pure.  There is what I would call an "immediacy" to the music.  I think you would enjoy them even if they had no affect on the bass.   If you have the money to give them a try, don't let anyone talk you out of it just because, in their learned opinion it just cannot be true.  You have a 30 day period to try them.  And, no, I have no affiliation with this company; feel free to check my posting history and you will see that I have not posted on these cables in years.
mtrot
804 posts
 
How do the surrounds look on the other speaker?  I'd be concerned that if I put money into repairing the surrounds on one speaker, I'd soon be facing the same problem on the other speaker.   How would the cost of refurbishing both speakers compare to a new set of speakers?
mtrot
804 posts
 
compass,

Douglas Connection Furez are very nice copper cables.  In addition to my Cerious Tecnnology Graphene Extreme cables, I have a set of Douglas Connection Alpha 12 AWG OCC Speaker Cables with Furutech rhodium connectors, which retail for ~$1,200 for a 9 foot run. 

Both the Cerious GE and DC Alpha 12 cables allow great sound, but in comparing them, somehow the Graphene Extreme seem to have a wider frequency range, in that both the treble and bass seem to be more extended.  I also get a great sound stage, imaging, and depth with the GE.  Perhaps I'll hook the Alphas back up and "re-compare" them at some point.  When/if I ever get a big center channel speaker, I plan to use the Alpha to connect it.
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